.ethereal mist.

2011-11-07T01:16:00.000-08:00

Lyrics
Whoever wrote lyrics without music? Well, I guess I'm one of those weird ones. Written when I was younger and full of silly thoughts, some of them embarrass me even to this day.

Poems
Full poems with titles. Some are just gibberish, whereas others contain my barest emotions. Well, don't ask. =)

Short Poems
Untitled, and written on the spur of the moment, containing just a few short lines.

Stories
Contains my best works, as well as treasured memories.

Novel (coming soon...)
Having read countless fantasy books when I was younger, I needed an outlet to pacify the wild fire of imagination raging in my head then. This fantasy tale consists of 20 short chapters, written when I was only 14.
I'll put the chapters up when I have the time. x)

sweet innocents

2010-11-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

when the school bell rings
say goodbye to the swings

a wave, a smile,
another leaf on the pile

today has come to an end
bye more-than-just-friends.

there goes

those times of sweet innocents.

near faint.

2010-10-29T23:25:00.000-07:00

blood pumping in my ears,

as i get up.

searing pain emanates from my head,

as if there's an invisible grip compressing my brain.

waves of white flashes,

and my view gets blackened at the ends,

the sounds slowly trails off -

into nothingness

vertigo, i feel unbalanced;

the feel of the support from my left hand dissipating.

i can't take it; i close my eyes.

am i midway into the bottomless black hole?

breathe, slowly; breathe, carefully

timeless seconds ticking past.

the sounds slowly returned to my side,

my sense of balance returned,

and i opened my eyes with caution

gosh! i thought, feeling better

that was a close shave

2010-05-17T02:59:00.001-07:00

If my problems were bunches of snowflakes

Then it'd be snowing

But because Spring comes after Winter

(Oh, when will it be?)

I'd just have to endure the cold.

2009-11-25T06:26:00.000-08:00

love is blind
love causes pain
love makes you shine
love is my middle name

"Slow down, we're going too fast"

2007-11-26T00:50:00.000-08:00

My proudest work piece so far. =) This essay entered the Commonwealth Essay Competition (Write Around The World) and it got a Commended! It was my very first and unexpected essay award. This was the only essay competition which I entered. It's not a high award and I was among dozens who recieved it, but hey, does it matter? =)

“Slow down, we’re going too fast”

“Mom, I’m home!” Dawn shouted. Weary and exhausted, she released herself from her cumbersome bag and books, plopped down onto the room sofa, and surveyed her modest three-room flat.

“Darling,” Mom breezed out of the kitchen, holding a plate of green vegetables. “Why are you so late? It’s already eight. I have to reheat the dinner again. Never mind, come and have your dinner.”

“How’s school today?” inquired Dad, during dinner.

“Nothing much,” Dawn answered dully. “There were three tests today. And I had to rush through a project after school. That’s why I was home late.”

“Good!” said Mom. “Study hard, become a lawyer or a doctor, then I need not be shameful anymore! Don’t be like your brother! What a failure!”

Dawn looked down at her bowl of rice, and pursed her lips. Her only brother, the person believed to bring fortune and luck into the family in traditional households, was in jail for theft a few months ago. Dawn knew that her parents had pinned all their hopes on her, believing that she would restore pride to the family. However, this annoyed Dawn; she was already much stressed and she didn’t need any more pressures.

Dawn was a second-year student in a prestigious junior college. Smart and hardworking, she often topped her classes, surprising her teachers and classmates, and even herself. Well, very seldom do we see ordinary families producing smart children. Even then, being the top girl did not make her happy at all. She was the teacher’s pet, and some of her classmates were extremely jealous of her. Dawn was labeled a ‘Nerd’, ‘Miss Smarty Pants’ or ‘Goody-Two-Shoes’.

“Childish!” Dawn had muttered to herself, as if to make herself believe that it wasn’t worthwhile to have friends from her class. Nevertheless, inwardly, Dawn knew she was avoiding the fact that she had few friends. Dawn missed the popularity she got in secondary school, where teachers and students alike respected her for being the top girl.

After dinner, she retreated to her room as usual, revised her work and completed her homework. This time, she did it with more intensity. Her A’ levels would arrive in about two months’ time. She was already feeling very nervous and stressed. Even though she knew it would affect her health, she still continued to burn the midnight oil.

“I’ve had enough!” she screamed silently, after five hours of intense studying and eye-straining. She slammed the thick, half-opened Physics textbook on her table. Her headache which had started earlier throbbed harder, blinding her vision for a second.

“It’s so boring!” she muttered to herself. “It’s always the same routine everyday. School, home, study, sleep, school, home, study and sleep. I’m exhausted! I want to stop!” Dawn wanted a life that is more relaxing. She wanted a life where she could be free to choose what she wanted and not a life where she had to rush to meet deadlines. She regretted going to a junior college. She could have opted for a more free life in the polytechnic, but she chose the college life.

All this was because she was a filial girl and did not want to let her parents down. Also, having a college education would allow her an easy enrollment into a University. She had thought that after clinching a high-profile job and earning more pay, she would be happier and less stressed. But she was wrong. “Just bear with it and live it through,” Dawn sighed.

She pulled open a drawer belonging to the desk-table, lifted up a couple of thin books, and pulled out a square note-book with a picture of a bicycle set against a country-side background. It was her personal diary. She placed it on her desk, and flipped to a new page. Under the bright desk light, she began to write:

“Slow down, we’re going too fast!” I wished I could scream this out at the top of my voice to the whole world. Everything’s pressuring me to keep on striving for the very best. I feel like I'm constantly being pushed forward by a large, moving crowd that will never cease walking. I can't see where they are walking towards. The people are just a blur in this fast-paced society. The soles of my shoes are wearing off. My head is getting heavier. I am exhausted. The intense heat is suffocating. I want to stop walking. But I am pushed forward by those impatient, forever-moving clusters of people without faces behind me. If I fall, I'd get trampled all over. I'd die…

Dawn closed her diary, and returned it to its secret place. She switched off her desk light, lay down on her bed, and tried to sleep. An hour or so past, but she was still tossing and turning on her bed. All kinds of scientific theories and mathematical equations kept bombarding at her head, making her feel restless. She woke up, and sat on her bed in frustration. The hour-clock beside her bed showed that it was five in the morning.

Knowing that she could not stay in her stuffy bed any longer, she got up and dressed. As she walked silently across the living room, she heard her parents’ snores from the second bedroom. Being deep sleepers, they did not even know that their daughter had sneaked out of the house quite a number of times before. She wore her sneakers, unlocked her bicycle, closed the door with a soft ‘click’ and brought her bike down. Then, she got on her bicycle and began riding along a quiet road.

It was dark, and the road was dimly lit by tall, grey lamp posts. There was no living being in sight. It was silent and eerie, but Dawn liked the way it was. Freedom from reality. Freedom from the rushing world, Dawn thought and smiled as she rode on slowly, taking in the serene atmosphere as she cycled towards her favourite spot, the slope.

While she increased her speed for the uphill ride, she thought about her life, the society, the world. “The world is getting to be a really dismal place,” she thought, somewhat miserably. “What happened to the carefree life we humans once used to have? What happened to the slow-paced life we used to enjoy? Nowadays, it’s hard to savor the joy and fullness of life itself.”

“I’m tired. I need a break, desperately. I’m tired of studying, studying and more studying. I don’t want to be a distinguished person in the future. I regret living in the present and for the future. Children of yesteryear had happy, carefree childhoods. Why couldn’t I have one too? All my memories of childhood were about doing this and doing that at increasing pace, always racing against time.” She cycled upwards, breathing hard, putting more pressure on the pedals.

“Why can’t the world slow down? We need to stop and think about what we are doing. Everything’s a whirl. Slow down, slow down! We’re going too fast! Way to fast! Slow down, oh world!”

The road dipped slightly in front of her. Downhill. Dawn loved cycling downhill. It made her feel relaxed at the end of it. She released both feet off the pedals, straightening them to relax her tired knees. The wind began to blow strongly against her, teasing her shoulder-length hair, cooling her hot neck filled with sweat beads. Then, Dawn closed her eyes, something that she had never done before. She threw back her head. A smile formed on her lips. The swirling sea of thoughts became calm. She could only hear the sound of the wind rushing against her, and she enjoyed her little thrill deliriously. All was quiet. Gone were her thoughts, gone were her stress, gone were her regrets.

She was too engrossed in it that she closed her eyes a little longer than she should. She totally forgot about the rounded kerb a few metres away from the slope. Her bicycle came crashing straight onto it. The impact was so great that her bicycle did a little somersault in the air, throwing Dawn headlong onto the hard concrete path. A loud, piercing scream penetrated the silence before ending abruptly. Dawn immediately succumbed to the darkness that swiftly engulfed her.

Just then, the tip of the sun rose, sending out rays, giving the dark sky tinges of red and orange. Another busy, rushing day had just begun.

No. of words: 1404

Tunnel's On The Loose!

2007-11-26T00:35:00.000-08:00

I dedicate this entry to Tunnel, the last of the 3 hamsters I had in my last 18 years. Tunnel was given to me by my Aunt. He died due to a cancerous tumour in 21 September 2005. This entry contains an essay which describes the night he escaped from his cage, written in 2004.

To the hamster that never bites, and is nonchalant whenever his bedroom was rummaged, and who dreams big, this for you. =)

Tunnel’s On the Loose!

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." But for Tunnel's case, a journey of an incomplete thousand miles in the mysterious world of the Flat must begin with a single, mischievous step.

Advice 1: A domesticated hamster would always find ways and means, sometimes accidentally, to escape from its cage.

It all began on Wednesday night. Mum found that Tunnel's cage door was unlatched. Looking into the empty cage was like looking into a vast space of air. TUNNEL ESCAPED!!! “Relax,” I told myself. “Start analyzing the possible escape routes first.” He couldn't have possibly jumped off the table. It was too high. Being fragile, he could have injured himself. Neither he was in my guinea pig’s cage, which was below his cage, nor was he in the nearby dark areas of the VCD drawer too!

Advice 2: Never leave out the most impossible and the most unimaginable areas. Hamsters are smart creatures.

The family living in the world of Flat got into frenzy. With the aid of torch lights, all of them searched every nook and cranny in the 5 countries of the Flat. Balcony, Hall, Toilet, Kitchen, Bedroom. North, South, East, West. I even had to sacrifice my cleanness in order to search in the darkest, dustiest places where lizards frolicked and spiders spun their webs happily. No Tunnel.

Advice 3: If you are convinced that you have searched vigorously in every square inch area of your house and found no visible signs of movement, something is amiss.

So I traveled back to the most possible escape route Tunnel could've taken -- The VCD Drawer. Alas! I found a small horizontal opening at the top-left of the drawer that lead to the Glass Cabinet. True enough, the beam of my torchlight caught the frantic, daft creature. Where exactly was Tunnel? Simple. He got himself trapped in a Glass Jug. The rim was too high for his frantic attempts to jump out. Sigh.

This is ironic. Hamsters getting themselves trapped even though they contemplated the escape? (Or maybe it wasn’t even premeditated) And all the while we were searching around the whole house! OH MY GOD. I've to admit, it was a waste of time and efforts. My whole body was sweating profusely by the time I 'rescued' naughty Tunnel. Well, "A wrong step can even fell an elephant". Who knows how he ended up in the Glass Jug?

"He who does not reflect is a ruined man". Tunnel, I hope you've learnt your lesson. Please don't vanish from your cage out of the blue. And don't even harbor the thought of embarking on a voyage to the harsh, brutal Universe! You would die if you aren't fully equipped with the knowledge on Survival in the Wild. Natural instincts are still not sufficient, my boy… I could turn you loose in an enclosed area next time, if you want to.

Oh, that seems impossible. Hamsters are really vibrant and they just love to explore. They would do anything to escape from their playground. They are really inquisitive, and are like a miniature raging ball of fur!

Written by Autumn in May 2004

Within You

2007-11-26T00:28:00.000-08:00

Within You
Autumn
2005

Within You
There is an unsettling feeling
Something you desire
The yearn, the longing
You don't know what it is
yet it is overwhelming

Who are you actually?
What do you really want?
Where do u really aim for?
There’s something
Something within you
Something that wants to be satisfied
Within you
If only you knew...

You’re still walking
Is that where u want to go?
You’re still talking
Will you get misunderstood?
You’re still smiling
Will the desire be ever satisfied?

Who are you actually?
What do you really want?
Where do u really aim for?

The sun still rises
The wind still sings
It all hasn’t changed much
But there’s an inner desire
Waiting to be fulfilled
Wanting to be satisfied
Within you
If only u knew
Within you... ...

Awakening

2007-11-26T00:27:00.000-08:00

Awakening
Autumn
Sep 2004

The ultimate bombshell has been dropped
And I am left alone, completely baffled
Reality sets in like a distressed bird
The past has already been decided
The long, unseen future seems uncertain
And this will remain… (remain… remain…)

Chorus:
The road ahead would be steep
So get up on your own two feet
Gather your courage, determination and strength
Ward off blows of failures within arm’s length
You need to continue on walking
To cultivate that sense of awakening

They said to leave everything to fate
But I guess this was one big mistake

Contradictions are appearing everywhere
Everything seems like a frightening scare
Whatever I had believed in turned out the other way
Everything’s inside out, upside down these days
Betraying my trust, blurring my vision
Confusions, complications, and no conclusions (No, No, No…)

[Chorus]

They said you can change your fate
But I guess I am a tad too late

Stranded
I’m left in the darkness without any clues
Troubled
I don’t know what to do

[Chorus]

Motivation, encouragement, enlightenment
That’s all I want, that’s all I need
Awakening…
Now I’m gonna stop depending on fate
I have a future all mine to create
Looking at the long road ahead
With its many different types of gates
I realized that it’s never too late

Why Did You

2007-11-26T00:25:00.000-08:00

Why Did You
Autumn
May 2003

I'm cowarding
I'm risking
I'm hiding
I'm showing
I'm notta opening my mouth
I'm shouting like hell
(Its painful you know it Why don't you stop that)

You banished me to this cold place
You locked me in this cold world
Can't keep running at my own pace
Can't get you outta my head
Why did you...

Chorus:
Sucks- left me out here in the dark
Chucks-hurt me with one violent bark

I'm cowarding
But I'm risking
I'm hiding
But I'm showing
I'm notta opening my mouth
But I'm shouting like hell
-
Get me outta there. Get me outta here……
(Its painful you know it Why don't you stop that)

Please throw me away from here
Please let me run blindly away
Don't keep standing in my way
Don't let me see you ever again
Why did you...

[Chorus:]

Last part:
Stop it. Gimme a break
Get me outta there. Get me outta here……
(Its painful you know it. Why don't you stop that)

Love At First Sight

2007-11-26T00:23:00.000-08:00

Love At First Sight
Autumn
Oct 2002

When I thought I was hopeless
You came standing in my way
You made me speechless
And brought me through a new doorway

Then everything went from wrong to right
And my tears became smiles
Even though I try as I might
With you, I can never be hostile

My heart just went crazy
Just looking at you tonight
I only want you, baby
It’s love at first sight

Maybe we were meant to be together
And live life to the fullest
But that I wasn’t so sure
Maybe I should try making out with you first

My legs turned to jelly
When I first met you
If we could sit in front of the telly
I would be contented just looking at you

My heart just went crazy
Just looking at you tonight
I only want you, baby
It’s love at first sight

Yeah….
Cause it’s love at first sight x3

An Innocent Indecent Girl

2007-11-26T00:22:00.000-08:00

Innocent-Indecent
Autumn
Oct 2002

I’m totally sick, can’t u see
Being a sweet, innocent girl like me
I wanna be a bad indecent girl for once
And stop obeying anyone

On the outside, I’ll look innocent
But inside, I’m indecent
I gonna transform into a bad girl look
Put on some tattoos, and throw away my books

Chorus:
That’s my life, can’t u see
That’s what I wanted to be
So live with it, or kick me out
If you can’t stand me creating troubles about
Whatever you say, I don’t care
Come and fight with me if you dare
Cause I’m an innocent indecent girl

I gonna take revenge on those whom I hate
And sell real things which are actually fakes
It’s so boring, to have an ordinary day
I want adventures coming my way

So I’m locked up in my own troubled world
Doing the opposite of what I’m told
Better quit daydreaming and think about life
I gotta do something if I wanna survive

That’s my life, can’t u see
That’s what I wanted to be
So live with it, or kick me out
If you can’t stand me creating troubles about
Whatever u say, I don’t care
Come and fight with me if you dare
Cause I’m an innocent indecent girl
An innocent indecent girl

Fly

2007-11-26T00:19:00.000-08:00

Fly
Autumn
July 2002

How I wished life wasn’t so terrible
It made me so sad, angry and confused
Just thinking of it
How I wished they would treat me better
Instead of scolding me for nothing

I wished I had a pair of wings
Which I could spread them wide open
And fly away from this terrible place
That is full of hate, anger and pain
I just don’t wanna face it again

Just let me fly to another place
Or maybe to another happier world
Just let me fly away
Far far away
I just wanna fly away from this place

I wished I had a pair of wings
Which I could spread them wide open
And fly away from this terrible place
That is full of hate, anger and pain

Let me fly
Fly freely
Anywhere
I just wanna fly away
From this terrible place ……

Autumn Leaves

2007-11-26T00:07:00.000-08:00

Autumn Leaves
Autumn
May 2002

It was one morning
The sun’s rays woke mi up yawning
Trees all around
Are shades of red, yellow, orange and brown

I pulled the curtains wide apart
And rubbed my eyes hard
I saw this beautiful season
And gave a big wide smile

[Chorus:]
Its such a beautiful day
A beautiful season coming my way
As autumn leaves are falling
Softly to the ground
It could make you all smiles

I got up and dressed
And ran out without stopping for a breath
I went around my favourite tree
And tried to catch every falling leaf

Its such a beautiful day
A beautiful season coming my way
As leaves are falling
Softly to the ground
It could make you all smiles

It could really make you all smiles

2007-11-24T01:58:00.000-08:00

Open up your mind
Release the wild fire of imagination in your head
Let it run free
Let it raze the forest of inhibitions
To ashes
Cross the boundaries of your dreams
Make impossibility a reality
Confusion. Exhilaration.
Clear as crystal -
Your one and only world

For One More Day

2007-11-23T01:46:00.000-08:00

For One More Day
2007 Autumn

For one more day,
To force me to wake up
On a cold sleepy morning
For the last time
For one more day.

For one more day,
To engage in 4 times 2 hours revision
To remember the knowledge taught in the last two years
To do countless exercises
For one more day.

For one more day,
To suppress the excitement
The freedom, the pleasure
I shall endure
For one more day.

For one more day,
I need patience
Concentration, determination
To just persevere
For one more day.

For one more day...
Argh!!..
For one more day.

2007-11-23T01:45:00.000-08:00

The Wind Blows
Autumn
2005

The wind blows
Tree branches sway
Careless water flows
Along, away, astray.

Brown leaves dance
In a trance
Around in circles
In repeating cycles

Kissing my face,
Fingering my hair
Continuously, wind races
It’s its flair

Invisible, ungraspable, unpredictable,
Whisperings barely audible
Seas, mountains, meadows,
The wind blows.

Turbulence

2007-11-23T01:42:00.000-08:00

Turbulence
Autumn
15/6/2004

It's all about my sophistication
He put me in a refined probation
He didn't give me any explanation
Only said it was good for the nation
He didn't give me any of my ration
And left me to face a terrible starvation
He didn't allow any of my interruptions
They only made me go through his aggravation
I know I don't have any unique qualifications
I know I haven't gone through any specialization
I know my past and future are just contradictions
But all I wanna to
But all I wanna be
To Be Free
To See
To Be Me

Why can't I have my say
Why can't you make my day
Why do you have to make me pay
Why do you have to force me to stay
Maybe the only possible way
Is either you or I materalise away
Because all I wanna to
Because all I wanna be
To Be Free
With Glee
To Be Me

Its Unfair

2007-11-23T01:40:00.000-08:00

It's Unfair
Autumn
8/6/2004

In this turbulent world,
Competition is fierce.
But yet, why, for humans
It's the survival of the smartest
But in the Animal Kingdom
It's merely the survival of the fittest?

Is this the world
Where innocent people die
And evil tryants survive?
Shouldn't we be
Living our lives to the fullest
With dreams to strive?

It's so damn unfair, I can see
I beg you not to tell me
That this world needs unfairness
So that there will be justice

Life is like a film in black and white
It changes, yet it repeats.
If there's hope, there's light
But anything forever isn't yours to keep

Nobody's Perfect

2007-11-23T01:38:00.000-08:00

Nobody's Perfect
Autumn
22/12/2003

I don't need to stand up in the crowd.
You aren't that great yourself.
I'm not what you describe of me
I am myself.
I am me.

Great minds think alike.
But no two bodies are the same.
Evil thoughts and bribes aside.
I'm not someone easily tamed.

I don't need to have another skin.
You baddies aren't one of my kin.
Save the trouble grooming me.
I am myself.
I am me.

You wonder why
Who am I
I don't go around putting things right.
'Course in this world,
Nobody's Perfect.

The Shadowy Girl Within

2007-11-23T01:29:00.000-08:00

The Shadowy Girl Within
Autumn
2003

She stands, she walks, and she’s alone
A hazy, silent, black figure in the background
Wind blows, leaves dance, her long, silky hair sways
Forlorn eyes unblinking on her melancholic face
She’s dying to be heard
She’s dying to be seen
She holds on to everything
But yet, she possesses nothing
She is just a solid space on Earth
Just perpetual pauses of time
She materializes and evanesces whenever she pleases
Almost like a passing breeze
Her soul has been used and discarded
Like tissues from their packets
But…
She hasn’t shed a tear
She knows she must go on
She knows she has to preserve her existence
And she understands that she has to do it,
Alone…
For she harbours an intricate, mysterious secret
Which will forever be
Untold

Dead in the Night

2007-11-23T01:26:00.000-08:00

Dead in the Night
Autumn
12/12/2005

Dead in the night

Scattered or lined everywhere below are
Hundreds and thousands of shining lights

Empty, desolate streets sparks off
A foreboding that nothing’s right.

Vehicles gliding smoothly, casually as if
Engaging in no fight.

A soft murmur, floating on the ground,
Feathery-light, misty-like

Blueish hues of the darkened, shimmering sky
What a beautiful, calming sight.

Go to sleep, my dear one, for it is
Already dead in the night.

2007-11-23T01:21:00.000-08:00

Morning feels like late afternoon,
Waking up, cold chilling my bones.
No one's at home.
It's quiet, I'm alone.
Raindrops fall fast;
They never last.
Soft music to my ears,
Raining down like tears.

2007-11-23T01:08:00.000-08:00

Thunder roars
Deep knockings on
Heavenly doors
Once, Twice
Echos return trice
Like beats

The Forbidden Forest

2007-02-17T02:01:00.000-08:00

Chapter 1

“Many generations ago, Canaberra Island was home to a large tribe called ‘NatureEarth Tribe’. But in the year 530, NatureEarth Tribe broke into two separate tribes due to differences in interest and power. Now, Eastland habours SkySea Tribe, which consists of people who can control the elements of the sky and sea; while LeafFur Tribe, where its people has powers involving plants and animals, remains on Westland.

“For many years since they were separated, the two tribes had held a Treaty of Peace. This treaty, still in practice even till today, states that SkySea Tribe has to provide LeafFur Tribe with suitable amounts of rainfall during droughts while LeafFur Tribe has to provide SkySea Tribe with their information on Care Of Living Things.” Oh, thought Amber, as she finished reading a paragraph under the topic of ‘NatureEarth Tribe’ from her history book. She had learnt that there had been two tribes on Canaberra Island; she had been taught that fact a few years back, but it was only today, during her history lesson, when she flipped through the pages of her history book absent-mindedly and the word “NatureEarth” caught her eye; that she fully understood the situation the two tribes were in. So this was how we have had peace all these years. But why isn’t there any rain now? Many of us are getting weak because plants are withering and animals are dying. Why is this so?

“Hey Amber!” Maple, Amber’s best friend, jolted her from her thoughts. “History class is over, why haven’t you packed your bag? You’re gonna be late for your Battle Magic practical if you don’t hurry!”

“Oh, alright, give me a minute,” Amber replied, as she hurriedly stuffed her books into her woollen sling bag. “Why did I have to be born a Norwick?” She grumbled to herself. Battle Magic was her least favourite subject. She’d rather care for all living things than going to war.

Since the time of NatureEarth Tribe, Norwicks had been in existence. A Norwick was someone who had more powers that the others, the Commonfolk, and specialised in Battle Magic. As such, Norwicks were usually the ones which were sent to hunt or fight in times of war. Not everyone could be a Norwick; a person was born to be one, whether he or she liked it or not, regardless of parental heritage. It was believed that Norwicks were selected by their gods, the Plant God and the Animal God. Well, at least being a Norwick allowed her to have greater ability to communicate with animals and have higher healing powers as well, Amber comforted herself.

When Amber reached the clearing which was used as the venue for her Battle Magic practical, other younger Norwicks were already sitting patiently on the rocks, located in a heap on one side of the clearing. Silverpaws, a Wiford, and Amber’s petmate, was already sitting in the middle of two other petmates. His ears were pricked, alert for any commands. A rare breed of a cross between a dog and a wolf, a Wiford can grow up to one and a half metres in height. By nature, it was strong, fierce and loyal. Although Silverpaws was young, he already had a full, black-streaked grey and white coat and a pair of striking silver eyes. Upon seeing Amber, he wagged his tail happily. Amber smiled at him and proceeded, as quietly and quickly as she can, to where the other Norwicks were sitting.

“You are late again, Amber,” A gruff, firm voice cracked with age reverberated across the clearing. Amber froze in her tracks, turned her head slowly left towards the centre of the clearing and was met with the glaring eyes of her mentor and head of Norwicks, Stem. Uh oh, she thought.

“Come over here!” Stem commanded with a frown on his face. “I have something important to tell you.” Stunned, Amber nevertheless obeyed, wondering what in the world would there be such an important thing which required Stem to single her out instead of scolding her directly.

“As you know, there wasn’t any rain in the past two weeks, causing almost all living things to die,” said Stem to Amber, who nodded meekly. “Worse, today, at dawn, a basket full of black berries of an unknown kind appeared on the doorstep of Daigou’s hut. In the basket was a message which said that they were from SkySea Tribe. It claimed that a berry would boost the energy, health and power levels of the person who eats it.”

Amber nodded, listening intently. Hearing any news in relation to Daigou, the chief of LeafFur Tribe, was a serious matter. She had to pay attention to the words that were said.

“Believing that the basket was a form of apology from SkySea Tribe, Daigou ordered the berries to be distributed among the warriors and the weak. Unfortunately, the basket of berries was not as innocent as it seems.”

Amber gasped, her eyes widening. “Were the berries…”

“Yes, either the berries were poisonous, or they had poison injected into them,” Stem replied, gravity in his voice. “Those who have consumed the berries are now suffering from an unknown illness. The weak are getting weaker. Death is on its way.” Amber’s brows furrowed in confusion. Why would SkySea Tribe do such a thing?

“Now,” Stem continued, with greater urgency in his voice, apparently not having noticed Amber’s puzzled face. “We need someone to visit the Enchanted Garden, behind the Temple of the Gods, and pluck out a branch of TwinkleBerries. As you should know, TwinkleBerries could cure any unknown illness when consumed by a living thing. We need to have them in three weeks, before Death finally arrives.”

Amber nodded uncertainly. She had heard of TwinkleBerries before, in her Nature’s Secrets lesson. TwinkleBerries were reported to have ultimate healing properties and can only be found in the Enchanted Garden, one of the three gardens behind the Temple of the Gods. They could only last for a month when plucked and taken out of the only place they grow in. For centuries, her ancestors have taken the trouble to travel across the treacherous Forbidden Forest to obtain the TwinkleBerries in times of crisis. Many Norwicks have sacrificed their lives for these tasks.

“Daigou and I have made our decision,” Stem continued, “As the man Norwicks are not in a good health at this moment, and Autumn, the woman Norwick is currently pregnant, and the other Norwicks are too young…” Stem paused and looked at Amber’s questioning face.

“We have no choice but to choose you.”

The Forbidden Forest

2007-02-16T02:05:00.000-08:00

Chapter 2

Sand sat on the sandy beach, with his Unicorn petmate, BlueMoon, lying beside him. The sea breeze tousled his sand-streaked hair, making it look messy. The waves lapped the clean shore, making calming, soft-splashing sounds. Private moments like this were peaceful and both of them loved it. There wasn’t a day where you would miss both Sand and his unicorn soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of the beach.

Sand scratched BlueMoon behind her ears and heard her sigh blissfully. Considering Sand’s personality, he was glad that he had BlueMoon as his petmate. A horse-like creature with a small, golden spiral-horn on her forehead and white wings on her back that had not yet fully developed, BlueMoon also had a pale blue coat and a unique crescent mark on her head below her horn which gave her the name. She had been Sand’s constant companion since they were young and Sand considered her his best friend.

A distant figure of SkySea Tribe’s Daigou came into view. “Father,” greeted Sand as the Daigou, Storm, sat beside him. A burly man in his late fifties, Storm had a weathered face and a pair of deep-set eyes that were intimidating if anyone was to stare into them for a moment. Draping a fur skin over his shoulder, he held the confidence and the prominence typical of a leader of a tribe.

“How is Uncle Rain?” asked Sand worriedly. Two weeks earlier, Uncle Rain had been shot on the shoulder by a green arrow tipped with a poisonous liquid. Efforts to cure his wound had been futile. For many days now, Uncle Rain had been lying weakly on his bed, sometimes in cold sweat and groaning in pain.

“Worse,” came Storm’s sad reply. “At sunrise, Rain’s wound was bleeding badly. He’s now unconscious with a high fever. The healer said that he could not survive more than two months.”

“But why would LeafFur Tribe harm Uncle Rain when they need him to provide them with extra rainfall?” Sand asked, confused. The green arrow which harmed Uncle Rain had bored the symbol of LeafFur Tribe. For many years now, their tribe had been faithfully carrying out the treaty of peace, with Uncle Rain as the sole rainmaker for LeafFur Tribe. So why should they bite the hand that feeds?

“Perhaps LeafFur Tribe wanted to capture him to be their slave in making more rainfall,” reasoned Storm, his deep, gruff voice tinged with anger. “But what matters now is that someone must save Uncle Rain. We need someone who is able to obtain the TwinkleBerries from The Enchanted Garden. Someone who is strong enough to fight the dangers of the Forbidden Forest.

“As you know,” Storm continued, turning his head to face Sand. “When Norwicks reach the age of sixteen, they have to complete a task to prove their worth as a true Battle Norwick.”

Sand nodded. He had been waiting for that day since young; for he felt that it would finally prove himself as the son of a Daigou and someone whom others would look up to. That day had been an inspiration to him, encouraging him to train and study hard.

“However, as you have consistently produced top results in your Battle Magic practical, the tribe’s council and I have decided to appoint you to carry out the task despite you being two years younger. You, my boy, shall set out tomorrow at dawn.”

Sand, who was listening intently, then stood up and bowed deeply before Storm. He felt proud to have been chosen for the task. His moment had finally arrived.

“I shall gladly accept the task, Father.”

The Forbidden Forest

2007-02-15T02:07:00.000-08:00

Chapter 3

Silverpaws padded softly on the lush grass with Amber sitting on his back, sweating profusely from the hot afternoon sun. Both of them had set off, with blessings from their elders, at early dawn.

“Are you tired, Silverpaws?” asked Amber to her beloved petmate. Although Amber could communicate with him mind to mind while touching him, she could not help saying out loud to break the silence that surrounded them.

I think I can go for a mile more, panted Silverpaws. They had already taken three breaks during the day. I can smell the scent of some trees.

Amber looked up. The silhouettes of the Arrowheart trees were in the distance. Arrowheart trees never fail to grow in threes, in a triangular fashion. They were the only Arrowheart trees that are located in the middle of Canaberra Island. Arrowheart trees could last for only a century, and new Arrowheart seedlings, strangely, always appear at the same spot on Canaberra Island.

After hearing that she was chosen to carry out the task of getting the TwinkleBerries, Amber was speechless for a few moments. She knew that the Forbidden Forest held many dark secrets and she, despite producing very good results for almost all her classes, was not sure if she could handle them. Sending a young girl to the Forbidden Forest was like sending an innocent sheep to a lion’s den. Nevertheless, Amber knew that under such circumstances, there was no choice. LeafFur Tribe did not have great numbers of Norwicks to begin with in the first place and it was thus really unfortunate that all the Battle Norwicks, except Autumn, was poisoned. To her elders, Amber was considered the most suitable for the task.

Her mother, with her hands full with her two younger twin brothers, was glad that she had one less person to mind but was nonetheless worried for Amber. Despite being flustered and anxious, her mother had helped Amber to pack the necessities for her trip and had kissed her goodbye, wishing her all the best. Her father, being a Commonfolk himself, was more than happy and proud to hear that his precious Norwick daughter had been specially selected for this very important task. Amber sighed, adjusting the strap of her cloth rucksack to a more comfortable position. All she could do now was to hope that her gods would protect her on her journey.

It was dusk when they reached a few metres away from the Arrowheart trees. The triplets of trees were fully-grown, complete with thick crown of heart-shaped, light green leaves. As they neared, Silverpaws suddenly paused, raised his hackles and growled softly.

What’s wrong? Amber asked, her eyes widened for any signs of danger. The wild animals - antelopes, bears, elephants and birds they had encountered along the way had given them a wide berth so far. If there was a threat now, it would be the first that Amber would meet.

I smell a human behind those trees. This human does not belong to our tribe! Silverpaws growled.

Lets investigate who that human is, Amber urged Silverpaws to go forward. He or she might not be an enemy.

***

After arriving at the eastern side of the Arrowheart trees a few moments ago, Sand had got off BlueMoon’s back and had sat comfortably at the foot of an Arrowheart tree, cooling himself under the shade of the tree’s dense branches of leaves. Suddenly he heard a twig snap. He scrambled up to his feet and turned around. His eyes then fell upon a girl about twelve years old, sitting on the back of a Wiford, which coat gleamed in the last rays of the disappearing sun. The girl has amber-coloured eyes, and amber-coloured long hair streaked with orange and red. On her fore-head, just above her nose, were three small green circles forming a triangle, the top circle slightly larger than the bottom two. Sand then noticed the tattoo on the girl’s right arm. The tattoo bore a picture of a brown pawprint, with yellow and green tendrils sprouting from the bottom of the paw on either side. She was part of LeafFur Tribe! Sand raised his right arm, as if ready to shoot magic from his palm at Amber.

“No, wait!” Amber shouted, trying to grab a firm hold on Silverpaws, which was ready to pounce on the stranger. Amber knew that the boy was from SkySea Tribe, after glancing at the picture of a crescent in water within a sun-like symbol on his right arm, but starting a fight was the last thing she intended to do. “I’m not going to harm you!”

“Don’t lie,” replied Sand, fury filling his clear, sky-blue eyes. “Your tribe shot a poisonous arrow at my uncle, and harmed his life!”

“What? We did not do that!” Amber was shocked. She knew that harming the SkySea Tribe was the last thing her tribe would want to do. After all, both tribes were interdependent on each other despite their differences. However…

“Your tribe gave us some poisonous berries, causing the warriors of my tribe to be ill!” Amber challenged. Although she did not want to believe that it was SkySea Tribe who sent the berries, she had to defend herself.

“Nonsense!” roared Sand. “My tribe would never do such a thing!” Sand was convinced that Amber was lying. What a preposterous thing to do, accusing his tribe of something which his tribe would never do! He decided that he would not spare her, even though she was a girl. Sand raised his arm higher, preparing to shoot a strike of lightning at her.

Amber started to protest, but stopped. Out of the corner of her eye, she could discern out a flying black dragon, fire breathing out of its nose, claws outstretched, heading towards her.

Or was it?

No.

It was heading towards Sand.